The *Actual* Cost Of Attending The Met Gala Has Been Revealed And It's Not Cheap (2024)

The Met Gala is one of fashion’s most popular events, where celebrities and designers alike flock to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to flex their sartorial muscles in some of the most avant-garde creations in red carpet history.

And as the first Monday in May nears for another year, many of us are left wondering exactly how much attendees have to shell out to attend. Well, unsurprisingly, unless you’re lucky enough to score an all expenses paid invite, it’s an eye-watering amount.

Below, everything we know about the cost of attending fashion’s most stylish night.

The *Actual* Cost Of Attending The Met Gala Has Been Revealed And It's Not Cheap (1)

How Much Does A Ticket To The Met Gala Cost?

Back in 2018, The New York Times reported that tickets cost around $44,000 AUD per person, and a whopping $394,000 AUD to reserve a table.

This year, however, that hefty price tag has increased according to Page Six, who reported that tickets to the 2023 event were going for $50,000 USD (approximately $75,000 AUD). And, with around 550 people attending the Met Gala every year, that’s a pretty decent earning for the museum.

Historically, tickets to the Met Gala were rumoured to have cost just $1000, which is barely a drop in the ocean compared to recent prices. According to Women’s Wear Daily, the event began as a fundraiser for the then-newly founded Costume Institute.

But when Vogue editor and the current driving force behind the gala Anna Wintour took over back in 1995, prices apparently skyrocketed. That being said, the money is going towards a good cause — being the Met itself — with the gala raking in $13 million in 2018.

Do Celebrities Have To Pay To Go To The Met Gala?

Whilst most celebrities will have to foot the bill, not every single attendee will buy their own ticket, as celebrities are often invited by a fashion house as a guest.

Case in point, Kylie Jenner and Donatella Versace at the 2017 Met Gala:

The *Actual* Cost Of Attending The Met Gala Has Been Revealed And It's Not Cheap (2)

Typically, WWD reported, designers can reserve a table, and then fill the seats with their chosen celebrities, who will also wear their designs for the night. It’s important to note, however, that designer’s guests must all be approved by Anna Wintour, who is notoriously picky.

The *Actual* Cost Of Attending The Met Gala Has Been Revealed And It's Not Cheap (3)

Apparently Anna also invites up-and-coming designers who may not be able to afford a ticket, but have earned their position to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Met Gala fashion heavyweights. It’s a nice way for them to get a jump start in the industry, because they’ll be surrounded by every well-connected person in the world.

So, with that final cost in mind, it’s fair to say that the celebrity style set certainly spare no expense when it comes to fashion’s night of nights… and that’s not even including the cost of their outfit.

The *Actual* Cost Of Attending The Met Gala Has Been Revealed And It's Not Cheap (2024)

FAQs

The *Actual* Cost Of Attending The Met Gala Has Been Revealed And It's Not Cheap? ›

The Real Cost of the Met Gala: $75,000 for a Ticket. Discover the exorbitant price of attending the Met Gala and the average income needed to buy a house. Don't miss out on this eye-opening insight into the world of high society events and financial aspirations.

How much does the Met Gala cost? ›

Time reported that individual tickets for 2024's Met Gala, which is a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, cost $75,000, up from $50,000 in 2023. Tables started at $350,000.

Do you have to pay to attend the Met Gala? ›

For invited individuals, the cost of entry to this year's gala is $75,000, The Met told CBS MoneyWatch. That's up 50% from last year's $50,000 price tag. A 10-person table starts at $350,000, according to The Met.

What does Met Gala ticket money go to? ›

Ticket prices to the event have sharply risen, making it a fund-raising bonanza for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. At the Met Gala on Monday, a throng of photographers fought to capture Zendaya and Kim Kardashian parading couture gowns down the red (technically, mouthwash-green) carpet.

Is the Met Gala secret? ›

In short: It's a secret. For this reason, guests must abide by the no-phone (and, therefore, no social media) policy. However, you can see exclusive photos from inside the 2024 Met Gala here and catch a glimpse of the table settings, menu, and decor.

Do celebrities pay for Met Gala tickets? ›

No, you can't just buy a ticket to The Met Gala and the guest list in invite only. Celebs aren't exempt from the huge price tag to attend The Met Gala, and if the designer or brand spends mega bucks to buy an entire table, Anna Wintour still dictates whether a celebrity gets invited or not.

Can anyone buy a ticket to the Met Gala? ›

And an undeniable part of the allure of the event is its highly exclusive guest list. The Met Gala, which started in 1948 as a charity event for New York's high society, has become invitation-only with a waiting list during Wintour's tenure.

How do celebrities get invited to the Met Gala? ›

Attendees are usually invited by the Costume Institute's curator in consultation along with Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Since 1995, she has been one of the event's co-chairs, and is responsible for overseeing both the benefits committee and the guest list, with the help of Vogue staff members.

Is there food at the Met Gala? ›

Last night's Met Gala brought out Hollywood's biggest names for the entertainment industry's Super Bowl of fashion. And while the event itself remains a relatively hush hush affair, there was plenty of piping hot tea from the evening, including real (and designer) food moments.

Who is the owner of Met Gala? ›

The Met Gala was established in 1948 by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert as a fundraiser for the newly founded Costume Institute to mark the opening of its annual exhibit.

Why is the Met Gala such a big deal? ›

Since the Met Gala is raising money for a costume institute, the outfits push the limits of fashion and creativity — blessing the internet with material to admire and meme around.

What do celebrities do inside the Met Gala? ›

The guests at the Gala are led inside and around the museum, typically through the Costume Institute's upcoming exhibit, as well as allowed to mingle for a co*cktail hour. They're then privy to exclusive performances and state-of-the-art dinners.

Who is hosting the Met Gala 2024? ›

Who hosted the 2024 Met Gala? Each year, there are multiple A-listers who play host for the evening, and this year's line up is incredibly stylish with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Hemsworth and Bad Bunny playing co-chairs for the evening.

What celebrities refuse to attend the Met Gala? ›

While some celebrities have publicly sworn off attending the Met Gala, others have burned their bridges with the prestigious ball and are not welcome.
  • Tina Fey. Tina Fey renounced the Met Gala in 2010. ...
  • Gwyneth Paltrow. ...
  • Demi Lovato. ...
  • Jameela Jamil.
May 6, 2024

Who never goes to the Met Gala? ›

The Met Gala, one of the world's most exclusive events, will be held on Monday, May 6. Over the years, some A-list stars surprisingly haven't been invited or have declined. Ryan Gosling, Dolly Parton, and Sam Smith have never walked the Met Gala red carpet.

What is the Met Gala curse? ›

The curse refers to the superstitious belief that bad luck can follow couples who debut their relationships at the Met Gala. History has fuelled this notion, as several high-profile couples who have appeared together at the Met later called it quits or experienced other troubles in their relationships.

What is the most expensive Met Gala look? ›

In 2022, Kim wore Marilyn Monroe's iconic crystal-embellished gown to the Met Gala. It was sold to Ripley's Believe It Or Not in 2016 for $5 million. Emma Chamberlain wore a custom Louis Vuitton dress at the 2022 Met Gala and she paired it with the Patiala Necklace which is valued at over $30 million.

How much is a Met Gala ticket in 2024? ›

$75,000. That's how much an individual ticket to the Met Gala will set attendees back, which is a price increase of 30% on last year's $50,000, as reported by Time.

How much does Anna Wintour make? ›

Her annual salary as editor-in-chief of Vogue, a staggering $4 million, cements her status as one of the highest-paid figures in the fashion realm. Wintour's journey to prominence is as storied as it is inspiring.

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